Not to be confused with the two brothers from Bleach, Bleached are basically two sisters, Jennifer and Jessie, who has a thing for 70s porn. I saw Bleached last year and I went on record to say that I really like their music.
...

THE DAMNED
at Fine Line Music Cafe
Saturday 04/22/17, 7pm ($25/Sold Out) finelinemusic.com

Legendary English punk/rock band The Damned is celebrating their 40th Anniversary with an upcoming U.S. tour. Since the influential band don’t really make their way to Minneapolis that often, I feel this is a very important show that you should be aware of. Of course, their many fans agreed, and the show is long sold out.

Expect to hear all chart-topping singles on this tour, including fan-favorites, ‘Love Song’ and ‘Smash It Up’.

No opening band is listed on the venue's website, but the poster lists Bleached. We've been a fan of the sisters in Bleached since 2012 when they opened up for Veronica Falls.

No one is asking “Who is Betty Who?” anymore, seeing as Betty Who has been selling out some U.S. Tour Dates - including this forthcoming appearance at the Triple Rock Social Club this Saturday, April 22nd. We’ve been aware of the pop singer since February 2014 and very happy to see she’s doing quite well with her recent release of The Valley (RCA Records).

Vérité (aka Kelsey Byrne) to open.
We previously caught the singer on
May 2016 and wrote, “With help from Andrew on drums and Mike on guitars/keys, Vérité basically played almost everything that she’s ever written... and even throwing in a Childish Gambino cover song ‘Sober’ to reach her headlining 45+ min set. However, based on her fans and Vérité’s drive to write heartfelt electropop songs... she’ll be back again soon...”
Vérité’s album Somewhere in Between is out now.

Truly it will be the gift that keeps on giving when Leeds quartet The Wedding Present drop by the St. Paul next Saturday, April 22nd for an intimate show at the Turf Club. The Present has been doing their thing now for over 3 decades, effervescent rock with a post-punk flair featuring the delightful British drone of lead singer and only original member David Gedge. Though the band has gone through several line-up changes, one thing remains the same: those fuzzy melodies were made for blasting out your car window while driving the city watching the flowers bloom. Check out The Wedding Present’s newest release 2016’s Going, Going… which was one of my favorites of 2016! But don’t neglect the band’s impressive back catalogue, including Seamonsters (1991), an album recorded at the famous Pachyderm studios in Cannon Falls with your boyfriend’s favorite producer, Steve Albini.

Colleen Green, billed as Colleen Green Band, will warm up the show. The Wedding Present loves these guys, and after seeing her (complete with Vuart) in September 2015, we can see why.

Toro y Moi and Astronauts, etc. (Anthony Ferraro, keyboardist in Toro y Moi's live band) is currently on a US tour. The two bands recently teamed up to record a cover of Elton John's "Rocket Man." Noisey premiered the
…

Next up was Nashville formed band COIN, who paid dividends in providing a good spark of youthful energy and fun, in their brief thirty-three minute set. The synth-embellished indie pop quartet
…

Other shows in the area:

04/22/17 Allan Rayman will be back in Minnesota, over at the 7th Street Entry.
We caught Rayman in 2016 and noted, “Then, as soon as Allan started singing, the crowd erupted and sang pretty much every word with him through his forty-five-minute set. Hip-hop music was the name of his game and he was slaying the competition.”
$19.

04/23/17
Sam Rae will be stopping by the Warming House in Minneapolis this Sunday, April 23rd, in support of her record Bring Us To New Islands (to be released April 21st). If you’re not familiar with the venue, this is a small, self-described as a “listening room”.
Holly Munoz to open. Note: Show is at 3:30pm. $10.

04/23/17
Chaz Bundick (of Toro Y Moi) and psych-jazz duo The Mattson 2 are touring, billed as Chaz Bundick Meets The Mattson 2. The collaboration group will be ending their tour at the Triple Rock Social Club this Sunday. Spin described their music, “between a George Benson and an Al Green.”
Madeline Kenney is listed as opener.
$15.

04/24/17
COIN (not to be confused with Japanese band Coin) is back at the Triple Rock Social Club next Monday.
The band was previously in town at the Go Show in December 2016, and we said “Closing with the kissing anthem ‘Talk Too Much’, the song has received heavy airplay and obviously the crowd’s ear, as they sang along with the band at each chorus.”
Coin's
How Will You Know If You Never Try will be available everywhere April 21.
Arizona to open the show. Yep, the band’s not from Arizona, but it’s definitely a better sounding name than “New Jersey”.
$15.50.

Don't forget that the second annual Wizard World Comic Con Minneapolis will be taking place May 1st and May 2nd (which is also Free Comic Book Day) and May 3rd. We had a fantastic time last year at the inaugural Comic Convention, please read our recaps to get an idea of what to expect for 2015.

Actors/celebrities:

Karl Urban (Star Trek, The Bourne Supremacy)

Katie Cassidy (“Arrow,” “Gossip Girl”)

Morena Bacarrin ("Homeland", “Stargate SG-1”)

Christian Serratos ("The Walking Dead," Twilight)

Gillian Anderson (“The X-Files,” The Last King of Scotland)

WWE Divas The Bella Twins (appearing May 1st only)

Luke Perry (“Beverly Hills, 90210,” Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

Sylvester McCoy ("Doctor Who," The Hobbit)

Kevin Sorbo ("Hercules: The Legendary Journey," “Andromeda”)

Kristy Swanson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Higher Learning)

Jason Mewes (“Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back”)

Comic creators:

Neal Adams (“Batman,” “X-Men,”)

Angel Unzueta (“Titans,” “The Flash”)

Salvador Larroca (“Avengers Vs. X-Men,” “Iron Man”)

Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”)

Michael Golden (“Spider-Man,” “Daredevil”)

Julian Totino Tedesco ("X-Treme X-Men," "Hulk")

Personally, I'm really excited about Gillian Anderson (being a longtime X-Files fan) and Karl Urban (I absolutely loved that Dredd film, even though he's probably known for being in Star Trek).

Also note, all full-price Wizard World Comic Con Minneapolis attendees will receive a limited edition exclusive variant cover “The Walking Dead” comic, drawn by one of Wizard World's talented artist guests (to be announced shortly). Comics will be issued at registration while supplies last and VIP attendees will receive an additional black & white sketch version.

In other Wizard World news, today (March 14th), they announced that Wizard World Comic Con Greenville will be rescheduled to July 15-17, 2016, from original date May 29-30, 2015. The reason given was that TD Convention Center limited Wizard World to only two days and Wizard World felt that the fans of Greenville deserved a three-day show for the full Wizard World Comic Con experience. That is fair, considering that sometime fans have to work on Saturday (I was in that boat last year), so I can appreciate that they extended it to Sunday. Fans who purchased 2015 tickets will be automatically refunded.

Jumping on the SXSW bandwagon (read all about our SXSW coverage over at sxsw.weheartmusic.com), for a limited time Comixology is giving away free comic books. Codes are good until today, Pi Day - March 14th.

Comixology is sponsoring a Twitch stream of this weekend gaming panels, so if you use SXSWDC, you'll get six comics either based or the source material is from video games (Fables, Batman: Arkham Knight, and Mortal Kombat).

Attending SXSW in Austin, Texas, this year? It's not too late to register for the ComiXology Recommends Comics for You panel on Sunday, March 15 from 4:15pm - 5:00pm at Palmer Events Center (Geek Stage).

This is a free and open to the public, but I recommend showing up early as sometime time venue will reach maximum capacity and will refuse you entry.

ComiXology cofounders David Steinberger and John D. Roberts, as well as marketing maven Chip Mosher and international production supervisor Kara Szamborski, will talk about their vast comic knowledge and personally recommend their favorite comic book series, based on what you like.

Did you know that The Wedding Present has a comic book series? It's written by singer/songwriter David Gedge and his long-time former bass player Terry de Castro and drawn by celebrated cartoonist Lee Thacker.

The comic book series was first published in March 2012 and will continue through November 2015. The latest issue is #7.

Gedge's latest musical project is Cinerama. Their brand new album Valentina will be out on May 18th via Scopitones. Valentina is said to be a radical reworking of The Wedding Present's eighth studio album of the same name.

If you live in London, there will be a special one-off Cinerama show, complete with 12 piece band, strings and additional instrumentation, at the O2 Academy Islington on Saturday, June 6th, 2015.

You may recall that we caught the band on their 21st Anniversary tour of Seamonsters at the 400 Bar in 2012.

The Wedding Present are a long-time British band, originally formed in Leeds in 1985. Although the only original member is David Gedge …

The Wedding Present is currently on tour for the 21st anniversary of their album, Seamonsters. As expected, they are playing the entire album from start to finish.

Before we get to that, I wanted to mention that there are some major changes coming to the 400 Bar. First of all, this is the first time that I have noticed this red wall that now divides the bar section and the concert stage. There's more in store: talking to a fellow concertgoer, he said that they are opening another bar section at the back. I'm also told that they'll be open more, hoping to make it more of a hang-out place.

Do I like the wall? I think it's good because I've previously complained that you can hear people's chatters at the bar when a band is on stage (this is especially evident when the band is acoustic).

Anyway, I was kind of bummed that I missed out on Pinky Piglets* (see update), since you know that I love things from Japan. The report I got was that the band look like they were having the time of their life on stage.

The Jet Age

I caught The Jet Age's entire set. I've previously reviewed their album, so it was nice to finally see them live. Two of them were wearing these Zarigani$ T-Shirts, which I am assuming that they were on tour with the band at one time.* (see update) The highlight of their set was "I Want You".

As for the Wedding Present, as promised, they did play the entire Seamonsters album, but it didn't actually start in until eight songs in! They did some new songs ("Meet Cute", "Deer Caught In The Headlights") and some old ones (Cinerama's "Quick, Before It Melts", their 1987 single, "Anyone Can Make a Mistake"), a pretty good mix.

Banter was kept to a minimum because singer David Gedge thought it would break up the flow of the album. Songs from the Seamonsters album were played back to back, lots of guitar switching (they were pre-tuned). They didn't go off stage, but I'm thinking "Drive" and their 1986 single "You Should Always Keep in Touch with Your Friends" were the encore songs.

If you grew up with Seamonsters, you definitely need to go see The Wedding Present on tour. Their new album, Valentina, is out now (released March 19).

The Wedding Present at 400 Bar, Minneapolis (03/28/12)

UPDATE: Okay, I found out the mystery behind Zarigani$, they were Pinky Piglets' bassist and drummer. They played with Pinky Piglets, which I have been told have changed their name to Toquiwa. Here is a video from last night:

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

The massive music+interactive+movies festival drew over 2,000 plus bands in the area. This year is supposed to be the "biggest yet".

I'm not in Austin this year for SXSW, but, per tradition, we are semi-covering it this year. Here are some SXSW announcements that were sent to me. Since I get over 100 emails a day, please put "SXSW" in your headline subject, otherwise your message will not be read or used for a future SXSW announcement.

Sounds delightful and tasty, check out Wunderbar – Finest Lunch With The Germans. Takes place on March 15th at the Parkside Restaurant from noon to 4pm. DJ sets from Apparat, Bonaparte, Coma, D E N A & Touchy Mob and food catered by Kochzeichen D

I love EMI Records, as do many of you. I was sent their SXSW sampler, which showcase some of their artists at SXSW. Not on the list is Norah Jones, who is actually not performing – but will be previewing new music from her forthcoming album, Little Broken Hearts, a collaboration with Danger Mouse (to be released May 1st, 2012). The two previously worked on his album, Rome, which Dave reviewed.

The playlist, which is not commercially available, includes hot Australian band, Gold Fields, in an upcoming Going for Gold.

Indie record label Krian Music Group (with BFM Digital) announced their SXSW 2012 showcase on Thursday, March 15. Bands on the lineup are: VHS or Beta, The Ettes, Capsula, Hands, The Strange Familiar, and Suckers.

Wednesday, 22 February 2012

So… the problem with really successful bands like Atmosphere (who consistently sells out shows at First Avenue) is that they're not quite a Papa Bear-sized stadium band (Xcel or Target Center which can house about 10,000+). They've certainly outgrown mid-sized venues like First Avenue (1,500) or the Baby Bear (7th Street Entry of 250 capacity).

Your alternative might be the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, which I have to confess is just too massive because of its stadium-esque seating arrangement on top and a dance floor. Its capacity is around 4,000, and even well-known bands have had a hard time coming close to selling out.

Enter The Brick, a bigger-sized venue of 2,000+, for the "just perfect" Bear sized. The venue hasn't officially opened, but I'm glad to be one of the first to see a live show there, this March 19th for Jane's Addiction and Black Box Revelation.

You should already know BBR from my previous articles and, unless you've been living under a rock, you should also know Jane's Addiction. For youngsters who aren't familiar with Paul McCarthy, you should youtube "Been Caught Stealing", everyone will be singing along to this classic.

I've already written about Young Prisms, since then I've gotten the chance to listen to their album, In Between. It's good if you enjoy shoegazey-ish music, which I happen to like. I can't wait to see them.

Scotland's Twilight Sad was recently in the news because they had to cancel a few shows due to Visa complications. They are indeed "sad" at this, even issuing a press release regretting the cancellation of the Washington D.C. and Philadelphia tour dates.

The tour is to promote No One Can Ever Know, available now (February 7th) via Fat Cat Records… but I'm sure the real reason for them to be here is to watch Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2.

I read that The New Amsterdams are set to play their first performance in over four years; their last album, At the Foot of My Rival was released in 2007. What you should know about this band is that it is Get Up Kids' Matt Pryor's solo project. Since we saw the 'Kids getting back together last year, I suppose the music-bug have bitten more than normal.

Pryor has just released his sophomore solo album, May Day: "I've been wanting to do a New Ams gig with Old Canes for ages. I've been so busy with The Get Up Kids and solo stuff that we haven't had time to do it. Since it was Crici (Old Canes) and my birthdays right around there we decided to do it now. So, in a sense it's actually our birthday parties."

Vishtèn is described sound like "Acadian, Quebecois, Irish, Scottish, and US American roots music". I have previously mentioned that any bands playing at the Cedar, I would definitely like to attend. I like the venue, although I wish the parking situation could be better around the Cedar area.

I was surprised to see this band playing at such a small venue, at the 400 Bar. But perhaps it's not a shock, since according to legend and lore, the 400 Bar supported and gave Bright Eyes his chance to shine. Conor Oberst owns Saddle Creek Records (which Cursive is currently signed to), and you can see why he would book at the 400.

Cursive is currently on tour to promote their seventh album, I Am Gemini, which came out NOW via Saddle Creek Records. Below are all their 2012 tour dates. Seeing as they've been selling out their California shows, I would recommend buying your tickets in advance.

Chastity Brown is to release Back-Road Highways on the Nashville-based C & D Music Network, the CD release party will be held on Saturday, March 24th at the Cedar. Playing with her will be Romantica and Black Audience

Apparently, the Wedding Present are on tour for the 21st Anniversary of Seamonsters. Has it really been that long? Throughout 2012, the band will be playing their third album, in its entirety…. "plus 40 minutes of other music."

One thing I should mention, since I saw them in 2010, their strongest track on that show was from Seamonsters: "Corduroy".

We've written about Fanfarlo's a couple of times. Kate G wrote about their show in New York: "they had a man suspended upside down from the rafters and escape from a straitjacket," which sounds pretty amazing.

Well, their new record is called Rooms Filled With Light, available on February 28th, but you can stream it right now at NPR.

Morrissey fans should spot the obvious reference to "Girlfriend in a Coma", and I'll have to admi...

The Wedding Present are a long-time British band, originally formed in Leeds in 1985. Although the only original member is David Gedge (he's supported on this tour by a Scottish rhythm guitarist, a Hollywood bassist, and a British drummer), he is primarily The Wedding Present, as he introduced himself at the 400 Bar in Minneapolis last night.

Wedding Present - 400 Bar, Minneapolis (04/17/10)

Highlight of their set must be "Corduroy", where the entire audience whipped into a frenzy as the first few bars were played. They seem to have one theme going for them: loads and loads and layers and layers of guitar long instrumental that often build up until a satisfactory climax. You can just see it in Gedge's face as he violently strums his guitar, that he's really enjoying being on stage.

So, I'll try and tie this to their opening band, Girl in a Coma. In the early 90s, members of the Wedding Present band formed The Ukrainians, and released an EP called Pisni iz The Smiths. I think there were four songs on the EP, all Smiths songs, sung in Ukrainian. And you should know that Girl in a Coma got their name from the Smiths song, "Girlfriend in a Coma". So the pairing of Wedding Present and Girl in a Coma seems just fine to me.

As many of you might already know, I have been stalking Girl in a Coma since 2004. I downloaded a few demos from their myspace (remember when myspace was cool?). As this was my third time seeing the band, I had already knew what to expect. Lots of high energy from this Joan Jett band.

Again, as with the previous two setlist, they mostly played songs from Trio BC. I noticed that they did not start off with the standard "BB", but instead with "Baby Boy".

They did a cover of Ritchie Valens' "Come On, Let's Go", which I think will appear in a future Adventures In Coverland release*. Of course, the highlight of the show was the final Spanish cover song, "Ven Cera". Always brilliant live, see video below.

Girl in a Coma - 400 Bar, Minneapolis (04/17/10)

Girl in a Coma Setlist - 400 Bar, Minneapolis (04/17/10)

* GIAC has an upcoming set of three releases called Adventures In Coverland (the first one was released April 13th). If you collect all the singles, they form into a boardgame. They're seven cover songs, including Joy Division's "Transmission" and Selena's "Si Una Vez".